yo.

01 . 09 . 12

Oh I am aching to write about so much. About seven essays linger in my brain. About the happiness and excitement of moving to our new home, the exhaustion and sadness of leaving our first home. About our generous, kind community who have helped us out with moving, play dates, food, hugs. About how AMAZING my mom is, about the dozens of metaphors that exist in packing up a life and hauling it across a valley, that even when it is reaching up and out and feels fabulous, it stings and aches like a loss.

Last romp at the old neighborhood park

First romp at the new neighborhood park!!!!!

We don’t have internet or cell at the new place so I’ve been quite off the grid in that way. Right now I have less than 30 minutes in a downtown cafe. I wrote my mama digs last night in our apartment, just a few feet away from my sleeping family. Really, we are just naturally a few feet away from each other all the time now. When I finished writing it, I was so tired and realized I had no way to post it or send it in so I threw my puffy coat and snow boots on over my pjs and walked about our neighborhood with my laptop open in search of a neighbor’s open network I could poach. Click to read mama digs: anagram.

53 Responses to yo.

Oh my goodness, the image of you walking last night! I think that images are a big part of your next days, both in finishing at the old house and settling into the new (and then doing it again later on).

Aww! The measuring wall so bitter sweet. I can’t wait to see how your story unfolds! You navigate these major milestones with such grace and beauty – so inspiring! You will need to finally post a PO box so I can send you a housewarming gift! But not until you move into the “big” house. That little room makes me crazy claustrophobic just looking at it. (this from an introvert who needs lots of personal space keep in mind…). The outdoor space you’ve gained though makes me ache with longing to move right next door!

The cocksucker looks great and those bunkbeds are awesome! I really love the dressers in the kitchen. Is your mom staying with you all too…maybe the couch? The “big” place will seem like a palace when you finally move in but at least when you get antsy you can walk out your front door. It really is a wondrous feeling.

I’ve missed your frequent updates. I really enjoy your writing & your daily adventures with those gorgeous girls. Wishing you a very happy New Year in your precious new digs. Can’t wait to read more & see your stunning pics!

Reading your thoughts and hit that cocksucker. And I kept saying in my mind, “that cocksucker, that cocksucker…” and then before I clicked the link I realized it was the wreath. hahahahha. God I needed that laugh. And yes, it’s in it’s glory on the yellow wall.

Welcome home Nici. Wishing you the best in your new condensed space (yo shrinky dink abode!).

Wow! That is going to be fun! I simply can’t imagine how my three kids would fall asleep if they could still see me. LOL YEAH for poaching internets.YEAH for helpful moms!YEAH for new digs!YEAH for that postcard worthy park!YEAH for posting another blog post! Thanks for sharing.

By the way, you are such an inspiration! I find it hard to get out of the house on a normal day. But I kept seeing photos of you and your kids out and about all the while packing, birthday-ing, moving, holiday celebrating all the while it was winter…well needless to say, INSPIRATION was felt! Thanks for the nudge!

Congrats on getting there. Little details…love the corner bookshelf – it now has the perfect spot for function. I do love that cocksocker on the wall. Beautiful new apartment. I bet there are gorgeous wood floors upstairs and can’t wait (super duper excited) for the spring and summer vegetables, flowers,and fruits you will be creating over there in MT!memomusehttp://www.memomuse.wordpress.com

Scrolling down, I first saw your old neighborhood park, and thought how sweet and fun it looked, and thought it would be really hard to leave a place like that behind. Then I kept scrolling, saw your new park, and my jaw dropped. I may have said “holy crap” inside my head. So, um, yeah, I guess that’s a nice consolation prize. Enjoy the new digs!!

I love how it’s the same numbers, different order. I think there’s a big message there! It’s terribly hard to let go when something has/had such an impact on you. But. Now there’s room for new stories, new memories, and from what I gather unbounded space to grow veggies, kids, love, life. Go and have fun, friend! xo

Love that the numbers are yours, no matter the order! Moving on is never easy but you are so skilled at paying homage to the past while looking ahead at the new adventures that await. Beautiful words, as always. Thanks for sharing the experience with all of us!Happy new home,Kate

What a beautiful (for lack of a better word) eulogy for 1732. I mean, mama you birthed a babe in those walls! I’m sending a virtual hug, {}, to ease what you’re leaving and to celebrate what’s ahead.xoxo

Beautiful post Nici, as always. My parents sold the home I grew up in, and I was so sad until I realized the house isn’t what makes a home. Their new home is filled with the same people, love, and memories, just enclosed in different walls, and it suits our family, and now their grandchildren, so much better. Best wishes and congratulation on the new Digs!

yes, girlfriend, absolutely! i have been truly identifying with your process–it’s been almost one year since we moved from SF to Berkeley and the whole thing remains a marvel to literally and figuratively unpack.

Your new place looks lovely and it will be such a sweet time for your family to cozy up in there.

I was shocked to see your new address, as it is EXACTLY the same as the one I left this summer. I know exactly what you’re feeling. We left our dream home that we held on to for a year longer than we should have, just because we loved it so.

Oh, man. So hard to leave that PLACE, and yet, so much future for the living. I have to admit, as a follower of your blog, my first thought when you said you were moving was, “Oh, but the HOUSE!” I loved seeing your house, chucky-fam full of character, as the backdrop to your blog. But now…I’m looking forward to the next installment.

“But so different as we’ve settled in, grown history, a family, laugh lines and perspective.” THIS.Told you I would be the stranger sobbing in the corner over you moving and saying goodbye.I admire your view and position through this – navigating it with grace and poise… I would expect nothing less (even if you don’t feel like it).You will make new, equally as amazing stories in your new home and neighborhood with your same little family.Can’t wait to read about it!

Nici,I’ve been reading your writing for a couple of years & you just get better & better. I love that the numbers will still be with your family. It looks like a cozy place to live out the rest of the winter & spring.I haven’t been able to access your blog the past couple of days. Is it down for maintanance, or has something else changed? I hope that it is just a blip, as you are one of my favorite family blogs!Sincerely,Kelli

Oh my. We’v been in our house for 10 years and I got teary eyed reading your post… knowing that this year we’ll most likely say goodbye to our home. It definitely is a readjusting in our mindset that has to happen even when we know it’s the right decision.Sending you well wishes and good thoughts as you transition and resettle.Happy New Home Making.~Ang

Oh sister, I feel your pain. Reading this now has me torn on my decision to move from the house that made my family a family. We have baby #2 coming along in the next couple of months, and somehow we have outgrown the home that we thought we would live in forever. I love all the renovations we’ve made to this old house, I love my neighborhood & the group of mama’s I have become close to, as well as my daughter to their kids. This is going to be a challenging step…

Thanks for pouring your feelings out onto this space… I’m preparing myself for the upcoming chaos of moving and the grief of leaving my beloved house. I wish you and your family all the best in your new home. ~hugs~

Congrats on the new home. This post made me feel sad for you, but also excited for you! Think of all the new memories you’ll get to make in the new house! Your girls still have a lot of growing to do and I’m sure they’ll love the new space.